Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to use specialty clamps to secure power cables?
Clamps are used to secure power cables to structures, walls, towers, and any other substrate where they need to be fixed. Mechanically, the cables need to be attached so that they’re held in place withstanding the forces that they’re subjected to during normal operation: the cable’s own weight, thermal expansion & contraction, as well as the electromagnetic forces generated in case there is a short circuit. Even though the cables are typically connected to protection devices, this is often not enough to guarantee that the cables will not experience fault currents. Such high currents in turn would subject the cables to excessive forces, which very likely would physically damage both the cables and any surrounding property.
Which factors should be considered when specifying and selecting cable clamps?
How can I calculate the optimum spacing between cable clamps?
Several technical and economic factors need to be considered when calculating the ideal spacing for installing the clamps:
Dutchclamp can help you calculate the optimum clamp spacing for your specific application. Contact us today.
Are Dutchclamp® products tested and certified?
Our products have been extensively tested by:
Dutchclamp B.V. has also received the ISO 9001:2015 certification for quality control and management systems. Click here to request a copy.
Do I need to include elastic inlay when installing the clamps?
Including a neoprene elastic inlay is generally recommended whenever the cable needs to be secured using a higher torque on the hardware, to avoid damaging the cable jacket. In applications where the cable is mounted vertically, the inlay helps absorb some of the static forces (weight) the cable is subjected to. The downside of using a neoprene inlay is that it may need to be replaced after several years of use and the clamps would need to be re-torqued.
Are polymeric clamps subject to hydrolizing processes over time?
Hydrolizing is a chemical process in which a compound reacts with water and changes its properties. Dutchclamp® products are specially formulated prevent the polyamide from undergoing this type of reaction. Our products have been tested after more than 25 years of operation and they have demonstrated to retain their original mechanical properties.
Where can I buy Dutchclamp® in the United States or Canada?
Dutchclamp North America is the distributor of Dutchclamp® products in the US and Canada. We ship directly to any destination in North America. Contact us today.
Clamps are used to secure power cables to structures, walls, towers, and any other substrate where they need to be fixed. Mechanically, the cables need to be attached so that they’re held in place withstanding the forces that they’re subjected to during normal operation: the cable’s own weight, thermal expansion & contraction, as well as the electromagnetic forces generated in case there is a short circuit. Even though the cables are typically connected to protection devices, this is often not enough to guarantee that the cables will not experience fault currents. Such high currents in turn would subject the cables to excessive forces, which very likely would physically damage both the cables and any surrounding property.
Which factors should be considered when specifying and selecting cable clamps?
- Cable dimensions, in particular its outer diameter.
- Cable arrangement. Depending on the cable laying geometry, cables can be secured individually, in groups of 3 (trefoil, linear), 4 (linear, square), or more cables secured together.
- Substrate. The material, thickness and geometry of the surface where the clamps will be attached will determine the bolt length required to fasten the clamps. Some examples are: plates, cable trays, structural elements in a lattice tower, struts, drilling onto concrete walls, etc.
- Maximum forces the cable would be subjected to in the event of a short circuit, both axial and radial.
How can I calculate the optimum spacing between cable clamps?
Several technical and economic factors need to be considered when calculating the ideal spacing for installing the clamps:
- Axial and radial loads: as a function of the cable weight, short-circuit current and consequential forces, and any other static and dynamic factors.
- Cable lateral buckling, in the event of a short-circuit
- Ease (and cost) of installation on the substrate
Dutchclamp can help you calculate the optimum clamp spacing for your specific application. Contact us today.
Are Dutchclamp® products tested and certified?
Our products have been extensively tested by:
- Underwriters Laboratories Inc. USA (UL)
- SGS Belgium NV
- Damstra Laboratorium - Eaton Electric (certified by KEMA)
- Centrilab – Belgium
Dutchclamp B.V. has also received the ISO 9001:2015 certification for quality control and management systems. Click here to request a copy.
Do I need to include elastic inlay when installing the clamps?
Including a neoprene elastic inlay is generally recommended whenever the cable needs to be secured using a higher torque on the hardware, to avoid damaging the cable jacket. In applications where the cable is mounted vertically, the inlay helps absorb some of the static forces (weight) the cable is subjected to. The downside of using a neoprene inlay is that it may need to be replaced after several years of use and the clamps would need to be re-torqued.
Are polymeric clamps subject to hydrolizing processes over time?
Hydrolizing is a chemical process in which a compound reacts with water and changes its properties. Dutchclamp® products are specially formulated prevent the polyamide from undergoing this type of reaction. Our products have been tested after more than 25 years of operation and they have demonstrated to retain their original mechanical properties.
Where can I buy Dutchclamp® in the United States or Canada?
Dutchclamp North America is the distributor of Dutchclamp® products in the US and Canada. We ship directly to any destination in North America. Contact us today.